Fix Up Your Kitchen with a Remodel and Love It

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a good return on your kitchen improvement project. Consider updating cabinets and appliances for improving aesthetics and home value.

Even if you can’t stand your kitchen any more, it’s not a time for grandiosity. If money is as tight as the space between two people passing in your kitchen, you have to be smart about making the right changes. That doesn’t mean you have to settle for putting lipstick on a hippo. But if you plan well and choose the right projects, you can enjoy improved aesthetics, increased home value, and a reasonable return on your investment (ROI).

Shop around. You might be surprised to discover you can earn tax credits or rebates for a kitchen remodel by replacing power-guzzling refrigerators, stoves, or dishwashers. Many retailers will even help you with the federal paperwork, and they’ll hall away your old appliance disasters, sparing you a slipped disc or busted door hinge.

New cabinets may be a good investment, too. If you’re handy with tools, you can install and finish relatively inexpensive replacements on your own. But if you can’t tell the difference between a Phillips crosshead screwdriver and a miter saw, you better get a contractor.

Tile backsplashes can transform the entire appearance of your kitchen, where most families spend more time than any where else in the house and can be installed inexpensively in a day. Tile is a cost-effective choice. The material resists stains and burns, and it cleans up easily. Downsize your plans and enjoy the rewards.